Physicochemical, antioxidant capacity and color analysis of six honeys from different origin

Abstract

Six honey samples from different origin were examined and compared for their physicochemical proprieties (pH, moisture content, TSS, water activity, amino acid and refractive index), antioxidant activity (total phenolic and total flavonoids) and antioxidant content. In addition, colore intensity ABS635, Hunter color values, lycopene, β – carotene and HMF were also studed. (Clover honey, Egypt) was the most acidic (pH 3.26). (Sider honey, Yemen) and (Sider, Saudi) showed the lowest moisture content (16.81 and 16.91) respectively. Among all the samples, acacia honey showed the lowest HMF content (3.6 mg/kg) while sider honey-Saudi recorded the highest HMF content (22.47 mg/kg). All the tested samples showed high content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Out of the six tested honey, Sider-Saudi honey recorded the highest phenolic and flavonoid content and color intensity flowed by pine honey, Germany). The results of the antioxidant proprieties of the different honey samples as assed by DPPH method showed strong positive correlation between the antioxidant activity, the polyphenolic content and the color of the honey. The darker honeys (sider honey, Saudi and pine honey, Germany) recorded higher antioxidant activity.